Reusing Fog Light Wiring

I am planning on installing an ARB as soon as it comes in. I am planning on getting 2 55watt Hella 500 fog lights on the ARB. Can i simply use the wiring from stock fog lights and hook them to the hella's since they are both 55watt?

Thanks,
Dave

You should be fine. Lots of people reused the switch for Piaa 1500XT's when they upgraded fogs.

You'll need to clip the connection at the end of the stock wires as it won't work with the new lights. Also run the wires through your front grill to get access to the ARB mounting points.

I was just curious if there was a more powerful bulb that could be used to replace the bulb in the factory fog lights. I already have an additional set of fogs on there because the factory ones aren't good at all. It's cheaper to put new bulbs in the factory fog lamps. If the fog lamps melt or burn up, I can just junk them and replace them. If anyone knows anything about this, please fill me in on a replacement light part number and where to get it. Thanks!

AerialViper

I went to a higher watt fog light bulb and it is about to melt my factory fogs so I bought:

http://www.xterraparts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Xterra&Product_Code=999F1-00002

I am not sure about the wiring though... it would probably be ok, but might have to beef up the ground. I am not positive on this though so maybe someone else will chime in here.

I don't think anyone has had wiring problems? Been on the board two years myself. Just upgrade to glas lense with the higther watage bulbs and you'll be fine.

I wonder how high you can go on the wattage and be ok? I have my new glass lenses on the way (will get here Wed. from xterraparts.com)

My new bulbs are stamps on the metal ring around the H3 - 100w.

I ran them for about 10 min in the plastic enclosures but could tell they were going to have a melted case soon... Anyway I wonder if the wiring will be ok?

How high did you go on wattage?

John

I think 100W is too much, IFRC most people used 55w

100 watt bulbs will melt your wiring harness, not to mention they would be way too bright to use on the street as fogs. Stick to 55W bulbs; they are cheap, won't melt your wiring, and put out plenty of light from the factory fogs.

Ok I will trade the 100w for 55w's Thanks for the help.

John

Or I wonder if I could just beef up some of the wires to handle the 100's... I don't know how far into the harness I would have to do that though... maybe up the the relay??

I dunno I am just thinking aloud here...

John

I would suggest installing a new relay and wiring, use the stock fog light wiring as the trigger for the new relay.

A 30 amp relay with 10 or 12 gauge wire fused (20 - 25 amps) at the battery should be perfect.

P(watts) = V(volts)*I(amps)

or

I = P/V = 100 watts / 12 volts = 8.3 amps

8.3 amps is per bulb so you'll be pulling about 16.67 amps to the fogs.

Remember the stock alternator only puts out a max of 90 amps. About 18.5% of your alternators max output will be used by the fogs. Just something to consider when adding a lot of lights.

I'm also not sure if the stock housing can handle the heat from 100W bulbs. One last thing to consider would be the temperature of the glass lenses, 100W bulbs will run pretty hot, the glass might crack if cool water gets splashed on them. I'm not sure what type of glass is used in the lenses, might be a problem, might not.

Okay, I did the bulb upgrade. to the EuroDesigns 55watt blue. Now the 15 amp fuse keeps blowing. Can I use a 20 or 25 amp fuse without melting the wires? I have found no shorts.

Thanks, Dave

I fixed my problem. had the manufacturer replace the bulbs. And I did the parking light mod. Why did I wait so long.

Dave